“Hands Lanka – 2009”

Sri Lanka is renowned world over for her exquisite handicraft-heritage. This fame was achieved due to the raw materials used found abundant in nature, vivid natural colours, advanced metal & tool technology and divine creativity developed through spiritual superiority of ancient Sri Lankans that have been handed down from generation to generation.

The 2^nd successive National Handicrafts & Giftware Exhibition was at Kandy City Centre, Kandy

from 2^nd – 5^th August 2009 with the theme “Hands Lanka – 2009”.

Green thinking – using natural products where necessary instead of plastic

From this year onwards, Small and Medium Enterprise Developers (SMED), the technical arm of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Lanka with the Steering Committee decided the exhibition to be held in Kandy the heart of Handicraft & Giftware artisans for the most of country’s renowned craftsmen who have been practicing the arts and crafts for centuries. This time the exhibition was held during the Perahera season which is world renowned cultural event annually held in Kandy.

 

Hands Lanka – 2009 is one of the events programmed for the year 2009. The main objective of this exhibition is to support the Small and Medium Scale handicraft and giftware manufacturers, find buyers, undertake local and international orders, display and sell their products and services so as to expand the market of the products specially made out of eco friendly and natural local materials. Most of the rural handicraft manufactures have hands on experience and talent to create spell of masterpieces and if they are supported with new technologies and market trends, their potential could be uplifted to a competitive level nationally and internationally.

This was a joint endeavor with the main sponsorship of Handwerkskammer Koblenze of Germany, National Chamber of Handicrafts of Sri Lanka, and Ministry of Industries Central Province together with the support of International Financial Cooperation and Dialog Telekom. In addition Regional Development Unit of the FCCISL, Central Province Women’s Chamber and Central Province Exporters Chamber also joined hands with us.

 

Inaugurations

Three of all four days of the exhibition were given themes as follows and there were four Chief Guests to open the exhibition for the visitors. The exhibition was opened on 2^nd August 2009 and kept open from 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. daily.

1^st day (Central Province Day) – Chief Guest – Hon Tikiri Kobbekaduwa,

Governor of the Central Province.

2^nd day (Tourism Day) – Chief Guest - Hon. Faiz Musthapha, Minister of

Tourism.

3^rd day (Gamata Wasanthaya) – Chief Guest - Hon. Sarath Ekanayake, Chief

Minister, Central Province

4^th day - Chief Guest - Dr. Palitha Kohona, Secretary to the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs.

 

What Exhibitors Said

Compared to the last year the number of visitors were above 5,000 and as per the exhibitors comments, more visitors could be attracted if it is held before or after the Annual Dalanda Perahera season. Exhibitors were very thankful to the SMED since they could sell and exhibit their products as expected and most of them were able to undertake orders. As per the exhibitors’ satisfaction survey 46% of the total exhibitors have been able to get orders Nationally and Internationally

Demonstrations

Demonstrations done by Artisans.

Fashion Show

There were three one hour duration fashion shows from 1^st to 3^rd days from 5.00p.m to 6.00 p.m. This event added colour to the event and all the models used local handmade dresses and other materials for the show.

 

Photo Gallery